Young orphan Alicia-now going by Alia-manages to escape death at the hands of Graves by jumping into a turbulent river. Narrowly surviving the raging torrent, she makes her way to the isolated cabin of Cere'zhula the Fiend-the demoness and retired sorceress who was once the mentor to the woman who attacked Alia in an alley-and becomes the dark elf's newest apprentice. Under Cere'zhula, Alia learns new spells and combat techniques and dips her toes in the art of alchemy. After a few months, the young girl grows used to her new life in the woods, only for it to be thrown into disarray by the arrival of a mysterious man from Cere'zhula's past...